Coloma to cast off pods?

School district asks taxpayers to ditch '70s style rooms.

School district asks taxpayers to ditch '70s style rooms.

April 16, 2006|CAROL DRAEGER Tribune Staff Writer

COLOMA -- Supporters of a nearly $40 million school improvement bond say it will open windows of educational opportunities in the Coloma Community Schools District. If the bond is approved May 2, a $17.8 million elementary school for third- through sixth-graders will be built and major renovations will modernize at least four other district buildings, including completing the high school's athletic field. "It will update all the schools and our boiler systems," school board president David Vollrath said about the $39.98 million bond referendum. In a few of the old buildings, the upgrades will include installing windows to break up solid walls in pod-style classrooms that were popular in the '70s. "Our students don't know if it's cloudy or sunshine outside. The learning environment needs to be improved," Vollrath said. The "newest" of the district's buildings were built in the '70s when the pod concept was in vogue, which called for few or no windows and open-style classrooms that often didn't include permanent walls. The style of classrooms are common in the district's junior high and middle schools, he said. As part of the bond plan, two buildings will close -- the Little Learners Preschool and Washington Elementary School -- both on Becht Road. "We'll consolidate those buildings and move the kids into the new elementary school," Vollrath said. Many of the district's buildings are 75 years old. The high school dates back to the '60s, Vollrath said. School officials say the proposed millage increase would cost the owner of a house with a market value of $100,000 about $22.91 a month, or about $275 a year. "Our schools were built by millage from our grandparents," Vollrath said. "It's time for our generation to step up to do something for our kids and grandkids." Staff writer Carol Draeger: cdraeger@sbtinfo.com (269) 687-7005